George Herbert was my favorite poet in the Early British Literature class that I took, and so I was delighted when my book group to read him. We readGeorge Herbert was my favorite poet in the Early British Literature class that I took, and so I was delighted when my book group to read him. We read about thirty of his poems and I loved revisiting his works. In particular, what I find striking is the nuances and challenges of faith, and his notions of God and spirituality, which really speak to me and encourage me. Sometime I plan to read the entire book....more

I read this for book group, and it provoked good discussion. I think at some points in my life it would've to me more than it did now. What I got outI read this for book group, and it provoked good discussion. I think at some points in my life it would've to me more than it did now. What I got out of it is that doubt is an essential part of faith, and that a lot of the problems we have with faith and religion and God come from having bad expectations....more

I've been waiting to review this book, letting my thoughts distill about it in my mind. But I don't think I can do it justice, so I will review it anyI've been waiting to review this book, letting my thoughts distill about it in my mind. But I don't think I can do it justice, so I will review it anyways. This is the sort of book I desperately wish I could read as part of a college class or at least a book group, because the text invites thought and discussion, is complex and yet simultaneously simple, and is filled with so many layers.

The book is constructed in three sections. Each features a different character, in a different time over the course of a century. I heard Yann Martel talk about the book at a book signing and he spoke of each section as a palimpsest--a rewriting on top of the other sections, where you can still see some of the words coming through. And that is an accurate description.

This is a book about automobiles. About technology and how change challenges and awes us. About chimpanzees. About literally not being able to face the world after loss. About mourning. About pain. About wandering with a destination in mind, but not being able to find it. And even though the book questions Christianity, it does so lovingly, with the faith that ultimately there might be redemption.

At the very end of each section Martel switches POVs, which both throws into question and illuminates everything that happened in that section.

I don't think this book is quite as accessible as Life of Pi for a general audience, but if you read it with an open mind, it's just as thought-provoking....more

Another great work from author James Goldberg, Let Me Drown with Moses is a collection of religious poetry. Specifically, it features LDS (Mormon) theAnother great work from author James Goldberg, Let Me Drown with Moses is a collection of religious poetry. Specifically, it features LDS (Mormon) themed poems, though many of the poems could just as well be targeted to a general religious audience. And while I've been a Mormon all my life, many of the poems feature historical figures that I was unfamiliar with. However, the poems can be enjoyed by themselves, crucial historical details are juxtaposed next to some of the poems, and the author helpfully provides commentary on each of the poems at the back of the book.

The poems really match the description provided by the author: "They are for those who still believe in a God who wrestles. For those who think faith should challenge as much as it comforts." Much of this poetry is not what you would find in a church magazine, would not necessarily be read off the pulpit. Yet the beauty of these poems is that they capture what it means to struggle, to doubt, to grasp for droplets of faith. They address struggles in our history, true, terrible mistakes that have been made (for instance, the fighting between Utah settlers and Native American tribes). The poems are filled with emotion, with leaving and returning to God, moving through a lyrical plain, making meaning through trials and joys.

One of my favorite poems was titled "The Moth." The poem is about love and solitude, and the challenges mortals face while on earth. The poem ends with the lines:

I'm a moth--why shouldn't I be drawnto both the flames of hell and the burning of God's glory?

Another favorite was this simple yet profound couplet:

What does the cloud-mist think of the river before it falls down as rain?Before we came down from heaven, what did we think of pain?

These poems beg to be read aloud, to let them reverberate through your body and soul. I would read a few poems and set my kindle down, thinking about the words as I continued with my daily tasks. Like Goldberg's novel The Five Books of Jesus, Let Me Drown With Moses is a work I will definitely come back to....more

I love the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen (I took an entire class on Andersen once) but sometimes it's easy to get caught in a fairy taleI love the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen (I took an entire class on Andersen once) but sometimes it's easy to get caught in a fairy tale whirlpool, captured in a group of fairy tales and forgetting that there are other, completely different traditions.

This book retells the stories of Rabbi Nahman of Bratslav for a general audience. Unless you are a member of a Hasidic movement you are guaranteed to miss many of the undercurrents and subtexts of these fairy tales, yet even though I knew nothing about this religious movement, the fairy tales were enlightening and refreshing. There is a prince who does not think he is human and insists on eating under a table, a king who tries to discover the key to happiness by taking away someone's happiness, and an awesome, swashbuckling pirate princess.

There is also a fairy tale that ends before it's resolution--we never see the climax or the final victory, only the early journey.

It was also interesting to read the author's notes on his adaptations. The Pirate Princess was a lot bloodier in the Rabbi's version.

If you're interested in folk and fairy tales, I highly recommend this as a good introduction to the Rabbi Nahman. ...more

"In the beginning, there was only the deep, dark water of Nun. Then out of the water rose an island. On the island stood Ra, the Shining One. Ra was t"In the beginning, there was only the deep, dark water of Nun. Then out of the water rose an island. On the island stood Ra, the Shining One. Ra was the first god to stand on the land of Egypt." And so begins Marcia Williams' retelling of some of the most famous myths and historical stories of ancient Egypt.

The graphic novel form is perfect for the retelling of Egyptian myth. In part, as Williams explains, this is because "the ancient Egyptians were among the very first comic-strip artists." The comics and graphics created by Williams to illustrate these tales are beautiful, and they are patterned after ancient Egyptian paintings and hieroglyphs, making this book a lesson not just in some of the most important stories of Egypt, but also in their art.

The stories include Ra and the creation, Seth the Evil One, and Horus the Avenger. Then they move more to the realm of fact, though myth continues to pervade as Pharoah Zoser constructs the first pyramid (a step pyramid at Saqqara) and angers the gods by ignoring them. The book ends with the story of Queen Cleopatra, her ultimate death after loving two foreigners (rather than be taken by her enemies, she lets herself be bitten by an asp) and the end of the rule of the Pharaohs.

This book is the best concise retelling of the myths and history of ancient Egypt that I have come across. I highly recommend this book to adults, teenagers, and children wanting to delve into the stories of ancient Egypt....more

Stephanie Nielson miraculously survived an airplane crash in which 80 percent of her body was burned. This is her memoir. It answers the question: howStephanie Nielson miraculously survived an airplane crash in which 80 percent of her body was burned. This is her memoir. It answers the question: how do you get through something that completely destroys your life and everything you know about yourself?

Reading this book was profound, thought-provoking, and inspiring. After finishing the book I wrote in my journal about my reading experience and my personal thoughts and reflections. I can't remember the last time I wrote in my journal about a book I've read--I may never have done so before. I really had a profound personal and spiritual experience with this book.

This book made me want to find more joy in motherhood, as I serve those people I love most. It made me want to hug my children closer. I want to be more grateful for my body, and more aware of God. I am astounded by the amazing medical technology we have today that helped save Stephanie's life and helped make it so she could recover and live her life as she wanted.

The author is LDS and her religion is definitely one of the things that gets her through this trial. The book isn't preachy though. The author really celebrates being able to live the traditional role of being a mother in the home, and reading her account makes me appreciate that role more. ...more

I received this book as a Christmas present. It's a "message book" that while not featuring Mormon characters feels very Mormon throughout. It's a bitI received this book as a Christmas present. It's a "message book" that while not featuring Mormon characters feels very Mormon throughout. It's a bit like going to testimony meeting--in each chapter a character tells a story about their life, how the old potter helped them, and the message they learned. I liked learning about pottery, which features prominently in the book. ...more

This is one of those rare, amazing books that I would recommend to anyone, that makes me want to buy a stack of copies so I can give one to everyone IThis is one of those rare, amazing books that I would recommend to anyone, that makes me want to buy a stack of copies so I can give one to everyone I know as a Christmas present. I want to interrupt people I see reading other works and say, "That may be really good, but I guarantee this will be better."

I like this description of the book from a review by author Janci Patterson:

"I know what you’re thinking: Oh, no. Not a book about Jesus. But let me tell you, this is not a religious screed, or a didactic affirmation of faith, or a blasphemous romp, or a Mormon rewriting of scripture to fit established doctrine. It’s a literary exploration of the Gospels, weaving together old testament symbolism and prophecy with fictional character interpretations. It’s gorgeous, largely because James is the kind of writer who can pull off the improbable. I don’t like religious fiction as a rule, but I love this book."

The prose of this book is so beautiful it often reads as poetry. Unlike many novels I would label "literary" there is no pretentiousness and none of the barriers that often make me put down a book 50 pages in. I think the reason is the whole point is to explore these famous figures (Jesus, Mary of Magdala, Judas) as actual characters, actual people. We see their motivations and their challenges, and the plot gives context and moving stories to the teachings and parables that we often look at as discrete episodes in the Gospels.

If you are a "believer" in Jesus then you should read this book--it will make you want to go back to the gospels and rediscover Christ's teachings with fresh eyes. But I also think that if you view Christ as a historical figure you will have a great experience with this book, because it's just one of those amazingly written stories that is why I'm glad I love to read. ...more

I hadn't realized how many teachings, on how many topics, someone gives in a lifetime. This book is a topical presentation of the teachings of ThomasI hadn't realized how many teachings, on how many topics, someone gives in a lifetime. This book is a topical presentation of the teachings of Thomas S. Monson, the current president and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I read the book straight-through, which was a great way to get a sense for the gospel as a whole; you could also use the book as a go-to text for quotes on certain subjects.

One thing that stood out to me throughout the book was President Monson's testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Monson understands the Savior's life, and truly knows how to apply his teachings to all the current problems we face in the world.

Reading this book increased my testimony that Thomas S. Monson truly is a prophet of God. It would be well worth my time to reread. ...more

Besides the Narnia series, which I first read at the age of 8 or 9 (and then read several times as a teenager), I've never read any other C.S. Lewis.Besides the Narnia series, which I first read at the age of 8 or 9 (and then read several times as a teenager), I've never read any other C.S. Lewis. This fictional collection of letters from one devil to another was spiritually insightful, humorous, perceptive of human nature, and inspired. C.S. Lewis truly understood human nature and the ways in which we view and interact with our temptations. Reading this book has actually helped me view my trials in a better light, and inspired me to be happier and rely more or God. It was a quick read, that I'll be coming back to....more

This book reminds me of Ben-Hur. Except without the chariot racing (which is one of the most spectacular scenes in film history). Published in 1961, tThis book reminds me of Ben-Hur. Except without the chariot racing (which is one of the most spectacular scenes in film history). Published in 1961, two years after Ben-Hur's cinematic debut, The Bronze Bow tells the story of a Jew, Daniel bar Jamin, who is filled with anger at what the Romans have done to his family. Also like in Ben Hur, the main character's life intersects at several key points with the life of Christ, and is made better for it.

I'd call this historical religious fiction, a genre that always surprises me when I see it celebrated by awards (The Bronze Bow won the Newberry) because of the societal shift away from religiosity that we've seen over the last few decades.

The book deserves its award: beautiful crafted characters (both the Jews and the Romans are portrayed sympathetically), a stirring character arc, a well-developed side-romanced, characters with disabilities and other struggles, and a very well-researched setting.

Now I need to go read Elizabeth George Speare's other books... I believe I read the Witch of Blackbird Pond as a girl, but I don't remember it at all. ...more

The Christmas Tale meets Pilgrim's Progress in this short moral tale about a man who devotes himself to doing good only to be seen for others. He fallThe Christmas Tale meets Pilgrim's Progress in this short moral tale about a man who devotes himself to doing good only to be seen for others. He falls asleep on Christmas Eve and awakes in the heavenly city, where he looks for the mansion that surely--surely--must have been built for him there.

For the most part, I despise didactic novels, yet I loved this book. In part, it's because there is a place for "morality plays"--it's just when a normal novel starts itching into didacticism that it annoys me. Here, it works well, partly because it's an individual man's journey of self-discovery.

I like the setting, the vivid descriptions, and the way minor characters like the doctor are painted quickly yet effectively. The relationship between the man and his son is powerful, as the son incites the most important lesson his father will ever learn. Like in The Christmas Carol, I feel inspired to be better, to be more patient and kind to others, and to lose myself in doing good not just at Christmas but all year round.

I read this book because in his annual Christmas address, President Thomas S. Monson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints noted that this was one of three texts he reads every Christmas season, the others being Luke and The Christmas Carol. The Mansion did not disappoint, and I plan on reading it again next year. ...more

An inspiring (and inspired) book written specifically for Latter-day Saint (Mormon) women, Daughters in My Kingdom describes the "history and work" ofAn inspiring (and inspired) book written specifically for Latter-day Saint (Mormon) women, Daughters in My Kingdom describes the "history and work" of the Relief Society. Organized by themes (for example, charity, visiting teaching, and "Guardians of the Hearth") this book reads rather chronologically, beginning from New Testament origins and moving to the 21st century.

Reading this book really made me feel like I am privileged to be part of this society for women. I loved the quotes from Relief Society leaders and prophets, and the dozens of stories of normal women who did great things because of their faith in the Savior. Almost every page in the book has a photo or illustration, and the visual layout is quite delightful. It's a book that you can sit down and read from cover to cover (though it will probably take a few sittings to digest) or simply flip open to a random page to read a inspiring paragraphs.

This book is empowering--it really uses a look at the past to help me feel motivated to be a better person, as well as giving me tools, thoughts, and perspectives to help me on my daily journey. I especially liked the parts on family and motherhood, as that particularly applies to me right now.

I loved this book, and I'll definitely be reading it again. If you haven't read it, then you should!...more